I was really surprised by how good this episode was. For once in a long time, I am looking forward to the next season. But I hope it will be the last. For a moment, I thought Clark was going to have to cross the line and kill Zod like in the comics back in the day.

Even though we know he has the suit, I don't expect to see it until the end of season 10. If they end it there. Everyone thinks that one of the good guys is going to save Clark or Clark will fly but I have another idea. If Darkseid is involved, he "saves" Clark.

In Clarks' weakened condition, he gets branwashed by Darkseid and helps to conquer Earth (and by Earth I mean Smallville and Metropolis). The season will open up to him either being rescued by Chloe from the brainwashing or coming out of it on his own. The season will then focus on him reclaiming the Earth and donning the costume at the end to fight Darkseid because he "wont have to hold back and can really be hinself".

Clancy is a good choice for Darkseid. Betty White could fill the Granny role. She's been in the spotlight lately, so I could see them getting her. Although they may go in a different direction and hire another supermodel and relugate the Granny moniker to being ironic (She's a granny by Apokolips years).

As for Jimmy, two words...Omega Beams. I could see them bringing Jimmy back as an episode to unbalance or capture Chloe. Maybe they'll kill him off again to drive a wedge between Chloe and Clark or get a rise out of Clark and push him to want to kill Darkseid and/or force him to bring Jimmy back.

I like the idea of clark pulling the dagger out and then flying on his own to save himself.

Yup much better then Darkseid saving him but then again this is the CW who the hell knows.

So Granny - check

Tess to be recruited for the Female Furies check

Darkseid - yup check that will be your Villian for next season .

The writing is totally on the wall.

Great Show , so it's slow and hard to watch sometimes but things take time esp for the greatest iconic dc character ever.  It's all going to pay off soon.

OK, I am part way thru watching this and I HAVE TO CRY FOUL!!!  Super beings are burning cities in Europe and doing all sorts of stuff out in the open and the "authorities" think it's a prank??  !!!!!WTF!!!!!!

Man that was a CRAPPY bit of writing to excuse NOT having a state of world panic going on.

OK, now back to the show. I just HAD to comment.

I must be one of the few who like Chloe

I was more exctied by another tease that Lex would be back.  I'm not sure the sctor who played him previously is on board, but those were some of the best episodes.

I am assuming the masks are because the characters in the comics wear them.  Still, it does look odd.

A nice finish to an up and down season.  At least Supergirl was in it...that girl always felt like a 'casting couch' actress

I don't know. Star Girl yes does wear a mask but the best Canary designs ( Justice League for instance) don't include one...

Joe is oddly absent this week.

When Jimmy died Chloe gave his camera to his younger brother...Jimmy.  Must be a Goerge Forman type family, where all the kids are named the same.  Either way...lame

cheekymonkey  I guess you missed it, but Chloe's Jimmy Olsens full name was not James Bartholomew Olsen who as we know is THE Jimmy Olsen at the Planet. The Jimmy Chloe knew is Henry James Olsen, who liked to be called Jimmy. The Jimmy Olsen appears in the trademark bowtie at his older brothers funeral (played by Ryan Harder) and is handed Jimmy's camera, foreshadowing his following in his older brother's footsteps.

B.T.W  If you look really closely at the pre-title sequence you will see Lois is wearing a wedding ring. The young man carrying the flowers talking to Lois is very likely Jimmy Olsen and of course you can see Superman catching the plane. (The face is in darkness but the suit and cape are there.)

I predict Lois will be seen getting hit by a car as she's walking away moments after learning of Clark's identity.  Memory loss will ensue.

I also predict Clark will NOT fly to open the season, he will be caught by Martian Manhunter swooping in to save the day.

Predictions aside, I hope they don't pull any kind of memory BS or anything with Lois knowing.  Her pretending to not know i could handle..for a little while.  But her someone no longer knowing by some memory trickery or time travel or something stupid, please no.  I guess i just have soo much smallville history to trust she'll actually retain the knowledge.

As for the episode itself, awesome intro, no doubt about it and I agree that this was actually a well done finale for once.  As a few people have pointed out there were a few little things with kryptonite, but all in all it was a really good episode.  I definitely enjoyed a little Zod & Clark slugging and it was not the let down that last year was

I loved the episode! And truth be told, this season has been the best in a LONG time. There were a lot less cheesy story arcs this season. They've added more depth into the story, Green Arrow has come a long way, Martian Manhunter makes more appearances. Keep it coming, Smallville!